1. Either of the two major arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood to the head.
2. Referring to or relating to, the right and left common carotid arteries, which comprise the principal blood supply to the head and the neck.

The left artery goes up directly from the aorta and the right one goes from the brachiocephalic (involving the arm and the head) artery. Each of these two arteries divides to form external and internal carotid arteries.

3. Etymology: from the Greek karotides, plural of karotis, from karoun, "to plunge into a deep sleep" or "into a stupor" via French or modern Latin carotide; since compression of these arteries was believed to cause unconsciousness (Galen).

If this is folk etymology, as some etymologists indicate, the Greek word could be from kara, "head".

A determination of the pulse of the carotid artery, palpated (gently touched) by gently pressing a finger in the area between the larynx and the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck which turns or rotates the head.

An aneurysm of the carotid artery which is a weak area in the wall of a blood vesel that causes the blood vessel to bulge or to balloon out.

The third arch of the aorta which is the source of the common carotid arteries.

A condition in which the carotid arteries become narrowed or blocked.

When the arteries become narrowed, the condition is called carotid stenosis.

Carotid artery disease takes place when sticky, fatty substances called plaque build up in the inner lining of the arteries.

A noninvasive ultrasound test for occlusive disease (closure or blockage) of the extracranial (outer skull) carotid artery.

Contralateral (opposite side) weakness and numbness, aphasia, and ipsilateral (same side) monocular blindness as a result of atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries as a result of fat deposits on their inner lining) or other lesion causing obstruction of an internal carotid artery or one of its major banches.

1. The common carotid artery or either of its branches, the external and internal carotid arteries.
2. Specifically, the common carotid artery, the principal artery on either side of the neck.

1. A flat structure at the bifurcation (forked or divided into two parts or branches) of the common carotid artery.

It contains cells that respond to changes in oxygen concentration in the blood and to changes in blood pressure.

2. A small structure containing neural tissue at the bifurcation (two branches) of the carotid arteries.

It monitors the pressure and oxygen content of the blood and, therefore, it assists in regulating respiration or breathing.

1. A murmur heard in the cervical area that does not disappear with venous compression, is maximal over the carotid bifurcation, and is not a result of transmitted cardiac murmurs.

Bruit refers to a medically significant sound heard inside the body; usually, with the aid of a stethoscope, and caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart or blood vessels.

The presence of asymptomatic carotid bruits increases when people get older, but it is not normally associated with increased risk for stroke in elderly patients.

2. A murmur heard over the carotid artery in the neck, suggesting arterial narrowing and usually occurring secondary to atherosclerosis.

A stroke could take place if the narrowing is severe and the condition is untreated.

A noninvasive ultrasound test used on the extracranial carotid artery to detect occlusive disease directly.

It is recommended for patients with headaches and neurologic symptoms such as transient ischemic attacks, hemiparesis, paresthesia, and acute speech or visual defects.

Endarterectomy (a surgical procedure designed to clean out material occluding an artery) done on the carotid artery (a major artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain) to restore normal blood flow through it to the brain and to prevent a stroke.

A small enlargement sometimes found in the internal carotid plexus or a network of nerves of the sympathetic nervous system surrounding the internal carotid artery.

1. Any one of three nerve plexuses (network of intersecting nerve vessels) associated with the carotid arteries.
2. Any of the networks of sympathetic nerve fibers that connect the internal organs to the brain via spinal nerves, responds to stress by increasing heart rate and blood flow to the muscles, and decreasing blood flow to the skin surrounding the carotid arteries.

1. The rhythmic expansion and contraction of the carotid arteries when measured from the palpation (pulse beat or the regular movement of blood as the heart pumps) as felt in the carotid artery on either side of the neck.
2. The pulse of the carotid artery, palpated (pulse beating) by gently pressing a finger in the area between the larynx and the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck or the thick muscle on each side of the neck, the action of which assists in bending the head and neck forward and sideways.

The dense fibrous tissue enveloping the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve on each side of the neck.

A dilation of the arterial wall at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery which contains sensory nerve endings from the glossopharyngeal (tongue and throat) nerve which respond to changes in blood pressure.

Caroti sinus stimulation by intermittent finger pressure, designed to enhance vagal tone and slow the heart rate or to terminate an arrythmia (abnormality in the rhythm of the heartbeat).

A neural mechanism in which an increase in blood pressure in the carotid artery at the level of its bifurcation results in a decrease in heart beat.

1. A temporary loss of consciousness which sometimes causes provoked convulsive seizures as a result of the intensity of the carotid sinus reflex when pressure increases in one or both carotid sinuses.
2. Intense hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (abnormally slow heartbeat) following carotid sinus stimulation, resulting in dizziness, fainting or convulsions, and occasionally other neurologic symptoms.

An abnormal narrowing of the carotid artery, often preceding a stroke.

1. A normal chemical reflex initiated by a decrease in oxygen concentration in the blood and, to a lesser degree, by increased carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion concentrations that act on chemoreceptors at the bifurcation of the common carotid arteries.

The resulting nerve impulses cause the respiratory center in the medulla to increase respiratory activity.

A benign round, firm growth which develops at the bifurcation (two branches) of the common carotid artery or either of the two arteries located in the front of the neck, through which blood from the heart goes to the brain: "A carotid-body tumor may cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting if it impedes, or hinders, the flow of blood and if pressure is increased in the vascular system, or the circulatory system that transports blood in the body and which is composed of the heart, arteries, capillaries, and the veins."